Chronicling the rise of Gotham PD detective/one day commissioner James Gordon (played by Southland‘s Ben McKenzie), the DC Comics-based drama also stars Donal Logue (Sons of Anarchy) as Jim’s begrudging partner Harvey Bullock, while Daviz Mazouz (Touch) fills the iconic role of young Bruce Wayne, who has a dynamic destiny awaiting him.

All told, there are 13 major and supporting players as this origin story gets underway. At the series’ New York City premiere, where the New York Public Library was “dressed up” as the Gotham PD, TVLine invited cast members to sum up their character in three words, then give a tease for what’s to come. Skim the photo gallery below to see what they each shared.